Battery charger amusement device

ABSTRACT

A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/101,907 filed Mar. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,592 issuingissued Apr. 18, 2006,; and a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/600,260 filed Jun. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.6,995,542 issued Feb. 27, 2006, which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a battery charger device activated bythe insertion of a battery to provide educational or entertainmentroutines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The societal cost of disposable batteries will be felt for generationsto come as leachants find their way into soil and ground water. Whilerecent advances in dry cell technology have reduced the toxicity ofcorroding disposable batteries, the sheer quantity of discardedbatteries represents a significant burden on landfills. Annual domesticconsumption of disposable batteries exceeds 1.9 billion cells. In mostinstances, disposable batteries cost a consumer more over time than doesa rechargeable battery, yet disposable batteries remain popular owing tothe inconvenience of battery charging. Thus, there exists a need for abattery charger device that provides communication with the user otherthan battery charge status so as to encourage the battery charge. It isintended that with the usage of the present invention, chargeablebatteries displace ever more disposable cells.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A battery charger amusement device includes a battery charger having areceptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery. A battery rechargeelectronic circuit monitors the charge status of a battery placed in thereceptacle. A mechanical movement signal is activated by the batteryattaining a preselected charge status. The device housing is configuredas an attractive item retained in sight when not in use. The mechanicalmovement signal of having a battery or inventive device portion pop up,begin or stop mechanical movement based on preselected battery chargestatus alerts a user of charge status attainment and encourages deviceusage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery charger amusement deviceaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a use process for the present invention;and

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway perspective view of an alternate embodimentof a battery charger amusement device according to the presentinvention.; and

FIGS. 4A-4D are views of housings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is intended to add amusement value to the task ofbattery charging. Upon a rechargeable battery being coupled to aninventive device, an electronic circuit is activated that communicatesinformation independent of charge status to a user. The form and contentof the information so supplied is not critical. In an alternateembodiment, the present invention contains an electronic circuit thatmonitors battery charge status and triggers a mechanical movement signalto indicate that the battery has achieved a preselected charge status.The housing for the inventive device can take on any shape and color andbe modeled into any number of humanoid, animal, vehicle, imaginary ornatural forms. Similarly, the housing texture and materials ofconstruction are not critical limitations.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a battery charger amusement device according tothe present invention is shown generally at 10. The device includes aconventional battery charger 12 including a receptacle 14 adapted toreceive at least one rechargeable battery B. The insertion of a batteryB into the receptacle 14 (shown in ghost) or a manual action activates amechanical or electrical switch 16 which in turn initiates an electroniccircuit 18 to begin the communication of information independent ofcharge status. It is appreciated that any number of conventional batterychargers is operative herein upon modification to include a switch 16.Representative of the battery chargers operative herewith are thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,409. Typical of a conventional batterycharger is a graphical icon 19 or LED 19′ indicative of the chargestatus of a battery B. It is appreciated that the size and type ofbattery B is not critical to the present invention. For example,nickel-cadmium, metal hydride, acid, and polymeric batteries areoperative herein. Operative battery sizes illustratively include 24volt, 12 volt, 9 volt, AAA, AA, B, C, and D sized cells. Power sourcesto drive the battery charger 12 and the electronic circuit 18 includeline power, a direct current generator, a dynamo 80 and solar cell. Itis appreciated that a transformer or adaptor 20 is often required basedon the power characteristics of the source P. Optionally, an inventivebattery charger 12 further includes an alternating current (AC) coupleras the transformer or adaptor 20.

The electronic circuit 18 in simplest form integrates a light source,laser diode or other electronic component so as to communicate sound orlight information stored within the device on an integrated circuit oron a replaceable memory storage device to a user upon insertion of abattery B. The inventive device communicates information upon insertionof a rechargeable battery or through any activation switch beingengaged. In alternate embodiments, the device communicates informationin the form of spoken utterances or motion. Optionally, electroniccircuit 18 is coupled to an information communicating componentillustratively including an electric motor, a light source, a videodisplay, a sound synthesizer, or combination thereof. In a preferredembodiment, the electronic circuit 18 includes a microprocessor (notshown) to facilitate more sophisticated communication. In a still morepreferred embodiment, a microprocessor is coupled to a memory or datareading device, illustratively including a DRAM chip, CD player, DVD,hard drive, floppy disk drive, and cassette player, and combinationsthereof. In still another preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit18 is coupled to a user input interface 26. A user input interface 26provides for an interactive question and answer format between a userand the inventive device, or data entry or icon manipulation as part ofa gaming system.

The inventive device preferably includes a housing 28. Preferably, thehousing is configured to have the appearance of a person 28C, robot 28,animated character 28D, animal 28B, a vehicle 28A or an object found innature such as a mountain, tree, or a diorama. These alternate housings28A-28D are shown in FIG. 4. The housing 28 is really constructed from avariety of durable materials consistent with proximity to electroniccircuitry and a battery charger. These housing materials illustrativelyinclude plastics, polymeric resins, textile plush, metal, and recycledforms thereof. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the housing 28 isconfigured in the form of a robot having moveable jointed appendages 29,LEDs 30, a sound synthesizer (not shown), and a video display 31 ofwhich are activated engaging a switch 33 or upon insertion of a batteryB therein. Optionally, the device of FIG. 1 further includes aninformation memory or reader device (not shown) for the uploading ofinformation content and programs, as well as a user input keypadillustratively including a compact disk (CD) player, DVD, floppy diskdrive, ZIP disk drive and the like. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 1preferably also includes a microprocessor (not shown) operating to drivethe information communicating functions. It is appreciated thatsomewhere all of these information communicating components can beincorporated into a different form of housing illustratively including adrive-in movie theater, racing pit-stop, or service station where thespent battery B is loaded into a receptacle incorporated into a modelcar or other portion of the housing.

It is appreciated that in addition to the entertainment or educationalinformation content provided by the inventive device, in a preferredembodiment, information regarding the battery charge status is alsoprovided as per a conventional battery charger. As is conventional tobattery chargers, a battery B is monitored as to voltage and currentduring the charging process.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the operation of an inventive battery chargeramusement device coupled to a power source is initiated by placing arechargeable battery into a battery rechargeable receptacle 30 for acharging duration or by a user activation switch 33. The contact of therechargeable battery B with the battery charger or the activation switch33 initiates an electronic circuit 32 optionally receiving content orexecutable programs from a memory device or reader 34. The electroniccircuit then begins to communicate information to a user independent ofthe battery charge status 36. The information is in the form of spokenutterances, music, light or movement. Preferably, battery charge statusinformation is also provided 38. Battery charge status as used herein isdefined to include contact with battery charger terminals, ability ofbattery to accept a charge, and the dynamic current and voltage statusof the battery. User inputs 40 are prompted by the inventive device andknowledge for coordination-based interactive game formats.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a battery charger amusement device according tothe present invention that affords mechanical notice of battery chargestatus is shown generally at 50 where like numerals correspond to thoseaspects detailed herein with respect to FIG. 1 or 2. The device 50 has areceptacle 52 adapted to receive at least one rechargeable battery B. Inthe embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the receptacle 52 is within a caddy54. The caddy 54 having charging contacts 56 mateable with complementarycontacts 55 in electrical communication with a conventional batterycharger shown generally at 58 located within a housing 28. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the housing 28 is simulative of a toasterand the battery caddy 54 simulative of a bread slice. Upon insertion ofthe caddy 54 into an aperture 60 of the housing 28, the chargingcontacts 56 bring the rechargeable battery B into electricalcommunication with the battery charger 58. As is conventional to batterychargers, battery charge status is evaluated prior to the initiation ofbattery charging. The cradle 54 upon being placed in the aperture 60 ofthe housing 28 engages a raising mechanism 62. The raising mechanism 62depicted in FIG. 3 includes a spring-loaded tray 64 coupled to a lever66. However, it is appreciated that a motor driven rack gear, or otherconventional means for raising the caddy 54 relative to the housing 28,is also operative herein. The battery charger circuitry 58 is coupled toa charging source such as line power by way of a detachable cord 67.Preferably, an analog dial 69 is provided within the housing 28 toprovide the battery charger 58 with battery type information. It isappreciated that battery type information is alternately communicated tothe battery charger through the use of a caddy 54 selective for each ofa variety of rechargeable battery types. A light emitting diodeindicator 70 illuminates while battery recharging is in progress.

In actual operation, the battery caddy 54 is loaded into a rechargeraperture such that the caddy rests upon a spring-loaded tray 64. Thetray 64 has a cutout in the base thereof such that charging contacts 56protrude from beneath the tray 64. Upon pressing the caddy 54 into theaperture in order to compress a spring 76 coupled to an external lever78, a catch 80 82 anchored to the toaster housing engages the springloaded tray 74 64 after the caddy contacts 56 are electrically coupledto complementary contacts 55. The contacts 55 in turn being electricallycoupled to the battery recharger circuitry 58. Upon coupling between thecaddy 54 by way of contacts 56 to the complementary contacts 55, and theverification by battery recharger 58, the LED indicator 70 isilluminated. Upon a battery B completing recharge in inventive recharger50, the battery recharger 58 activates a solenoid to release the catchand thereby allow the spring loaded tray 64 to eject the caddy 54 fromthe receptacle. The caddy 54 projecting from the aperture signals to auser the completion of the recharge process. It is appreciated that inaddition to a solenoid releasing a catch, other conventional electricalcomponents are operative herein to simulate the action of a toaster andallow the caddy 54 to project from the aperture. In an alternateembodiment, the receptacle 55 is incorporated into the spring-loadedtray 64. The contacts 55 are in electrical communication with thebattery charger 58 by way of leads sufficiently long to accommodate thetravel of the contacts 55 within the housing 50. It is appreciated thatin an alternate embodiment of an inventive battery charger that affordsmechanical notice of charge status, and in particular completion ofbattery recharge, that a caddy need not be used but rather the batteriesinserted directly into a charger affording mechanical notice of chargestatus. In still another inventive embodiment, the charger is configuredin the form of a “jack-in-the-box” with a portion thereof beingprojected in order to signify the completion of charging. Still otherconfigurations include a coffee maker type design where a powder orliquid material moves from one region of the recharger to anotherconsistent with the progression of battery recharge. Still otherembodiments illustratively include a carousel that revolves only duringbattery recharging, a figurine that changes orientation or movementconsistent with charge status, and the like that are consistent with theinvention as detailed herein. It is further appreciated that one skilledin the art will readily recognize that various spring-loaded andmechanized toys and appliances are readily coupled to a battery chargeras detailed herein such that mechanical notice is provided consistentwith battery charge status and in particular, the completion of batteryrecharge.

All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each reference was individually and specificallyincorporated by reference. These references are indicative of the levelsof skill in the art at the time of invention.

A particular embodiment of the invention having been detailed herein, itis appreciated the changes and modifications may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the invention in its broaderaspects. The embodiments described herein are considered exemplary andnot intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

1. A battery charger amusement device comprising: a housing configuredin a form selected from the group consisting of: humanoid, animate,vehicular and natural; a dynamo powering a battery charger in electricalcommunication with a rechargeable battery, the battery having a chargestatus; and a source of information communicated to a user and selectedfrom the group consisting of: sound, light, movement or a combinationthereof for entertaining the user of the device, the information beingindependent of battery charge status.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinthe housing has a movable portion.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein theinformation is of a type selected from the group consisting of language,text, music, light, movement and video.
 4. The device of claim 1 whereinthe source of information is light and light is generated by a lightemitting diode.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises avideo display.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said housing has thehumanoid form or the animate form of a figurine.
 7. The device of claim5 wherein said housing has the humanoid form or the animate form of ajack-in-the-box.
 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising anactivator switch for the source of information.
 9. A battery chargeramusement device comprising: an electrically moved housing having theappearance of a vehicle; a dynamo powering a battery charger inelectrical communication with a rechargeable battery.
 10. A batterycharger amusement device comprising: an electrically moved housinghaving the appearance of an animal; a dynamo powering a battery chargerin electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.
 11. A batterycharger amusement device comprising: an electrically moved housinghaving the appearance of a person; a dynamo powering a battery chargerin electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.
 12. A batterycharger amusement device comprising: an electrically moved housinghaving the appearance of a robot: a dynamo powering a battery charger inelectrical communication with a rechargeable battery.
 13. A batterycharger amusement device comprising: an electrically moved housinghaving the appearance of an animated character; a dynamo powering abattery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.14. A battery charger amusement device comprising: a battery chargerhaving a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status; anelectronic circuit monitoring charge status; a dynamo powering saidbattery charger; a mechanical movement signal activated upon the batteryattaining a preselected charge status as measured by said electroniccircuit.
 15. The battery charger amusement device of claim 14 furthercomprising said electronic circuit communicating information to a userindependent of charge status prior to the battery attaining thepreselected charge status.
 16. The device of claim 14 wherein theinformation is of a type selected from the group consisting of language,text, music, light, movement and video.
 17. The device of claim 14further comprising a housing.
 18. The device of claim 14 wherein saidmechanical movement signal is selected from a group consisting of:release of a spring, activation of an electric drive motor to create amechanical movement, deactivation of said electrical motor, and movementof a liquid or powder.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein said housingis configured in a form selected from the group consisting of humanoid,animate, vehicular and natural.